Pakistan

In letter to Antony Blinken, US lawmaker highlights ‘human rights, democracy’ issues in Pakistan

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Congressman Brad Sherman writes letter to Antony Blinken.
Top US diplomat urged to take notice of human rights issues in Pakistan.
Blinken requested to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate alleged abuses.

WASHINGTON: Congressman Brad Sherman has written a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighting issues related to human rights and democracy in Pakistan.

In his letter (dated April 12), which he also shared on his official Twitter handle, Sherman while mentioning US support to Pakistan during times of need urged the country’s top diplomat to support human rights in Pakistan as it is also in the US national interest.

“I know human rights are a priority for you, and I recognised your commitment and the Administration’s work on democracy, human rights, and rule of law. The United States does not involve itself in Pakistan’s internal governmental matters — I respect its constitution and its democratic process — but we must not shy away from raising our voice when the human rights of the Pakistani people are at stake,” he wrote.

Sherman, who recently held a telephonic discussion with former prime minister Imran Khan, is among those US lawmakers and influential persons who are now speaking in favour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after the party engaged another lobbying firm to project its goals overseas.

See below my letter to @SecBlinken regarding Democracy in #Pakistan.

Thanks @DrMahmood40 for being such a good adviser, and also for arranging my most recent telephone call with #ImranKhan. pic.twitter.com/qsRAKhX4Oe
— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) April 11, 2023

In his three-page letter, the congressman asked Antony Blinken to reaffirm the US position that the Pakistani government should respect the right to speak, organise, and demonstrate peacefully.

“It is critical that we see a calm, orderly, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan where Pakistanis can have a free and open political dialogue.”

Sherman wrote: “I am particularly alarmed by incidents over the last year, especially the alleged torture and even sexual abuse of political figures such as former PM Khan’s Chief of Staff Shahbaz Gill and journalist Jameel Farooqui.

“Thankfully, they both were released, but the chilling effect of their detention and treatment continues to resonate. Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for an urgent investigation into Gill’s complaints, citing ‘numerous credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment of political opponents’ in Pakistan during previous governments. HRW also questioned sedition charges against Gill. The April 6 arrest of former minister Ali Amin Gandapur adds to these concerns.”

The lawmaker highlighted numerous cases filed against the PTI chief and the “use of force against his supporters, the detention of protesters under sweeping counter-terrorism laws, and the closing space for free speech”.

Congressman Sherman noted that efforts by the authorities to delay elections in two key provinces are another sign of “skirting” democratic processes and urged Pakistan to respect the Supreme Court ruling that the elections should proceed on a timely basis.

He also asked the secretary of state to form a panel of law experts to review the issue of the election delay verdict of the top court as the government is of the view that the matter should be heard by the full court.

“I will continue to monitor the situation. I ask you to guide the United States-Pakistan policy toward a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anybody who may be responsible.

“Most importantly, I urge the authorities to make sure that going forward political figures or citizens who simply want to demonstrate are not subjected to anti-democratic consequences.”

In the concluding para of the letter, Sherman wrote that the US-Pakistani relationship is one of the most important foreign policy relationships and accordingly should reflect US priorities regarding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Pakistan.

Latest News

Punjabi bakers decide to charge Rs. 15 for “roti.”

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

The bread, known as roti, will be sold for Rs 15 by the bakers association.

During their discussion, the association promised Food Minister Bilal Yasin that the rate of roti will be reduced.

The minister was there when Association President Aftab Gul recorded a video message committing to sell rotis for Rs15 each.

According to him, the administration decided to lower the rate of flour. He continued, saying that the group was supporting the government hand in hand to stop inflation.

The price of flour has been drastically lowered, according to Food Minister Bilal, to help the populace. He stated, “the government aimed at providing quality and affordable bread to the masses.”

He said that the recent reduction of Rs 1,200 in the price of flour was the biggest drop in the commodity’s prices in the nation’s history.

Latest News

Day four of the AJK inflation protest begins as talks come to a standstill.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Following the collapse of talks between the Awami Action Committee and the AJK government on Sunday, the shutdown strike and protests in Azad Kashmir over rising flour and energy costs started their fourth day on Monday.

The ongoing shutdown and wheeljam strike would continue until their demands are fulfilled, according to the Awami Action Committee.

AAC-led march on state capital Muzaffarabad today has brought the valley to a near stop. The caravans are coming from many AJK cities, and they are headed towards Rawalakot. The march is being caused by the impasse in the negotiations.

Reportedly, the demonstrators have blocked the 40-kilometer Kohala–Muzaffarabad Road, which connects Kohala Town and Muzaffarabad, multiple times.

Traffic on main thoroughfares and roads has decreased, and large police contingents have been stationed at strategic points and roundabouts.

After fighting broke out between the police and demonstrators in Mirpur on Saturday, which left one policeman dead and numerous others injured, the AJK government dispatched Rangers.

Everything is completely suspended, including internet and cellular services, business, and education.

Under the pretext of talks, Awami Action Committee leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri has charged that the administration is using deceptive methods.

Apart from the flour subsidy, he continues, the administration will not budge on any other demand.

CONVENE MEETINGS, PRESIDENT, PM

All parties involved have been asked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Zardari to use moderation and engage in discussions to find a solution. According to both, the demonstrators in Azad Kashmir should have their legitimate demands met.

The issue in AJK will be the topic of a significant meeting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is calling today, Monday.

The skirmishes between the demonstrators and the AJK police caused anxiety for the premier on Sunday.

Speaking with Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the prime minister of AJK, he said he also gave the office-bearers of the All-Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in AJK instructions to speak with the leaders of the Awami Action Committee.

Olive Branch is offered by AJK PM.

Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq stated on Sunday that his administration was ready to lessen the burden of exorbitant grain and energy costs.

Regarding Saturday’s meetings with the demonstrators, Prime Minister Haq declared, “We are determined to implement the agreement we have reached with the Awami Action Committee.”

Politicians, according to Haq, have found solutions to issues through discussion and “we are ready to talk with the Awami Action Committee at any level and the demands related to the government of Pakistan will be raised before the federation.”

In order to ease the burden of rising flour and power prices, he also expressed a willingness to modify the development budget if needed.

The AJK prime minister stated that his government’s first priority was ensuring public safety, and he further stated that no force was applied to the demonstrators.

Sub-inspector Adnan Qureshi was killed in a confrontation with demonstrators in Mirpur, and hundreds of people attended his funeral on Monday.

Latest News

Today’s National Assembly session is scheduled.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

The National Assembly (NA) will meet today (Monday) at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.

At 4:00 p.m., the National Assembly will convene in the federal capital at Parliament House. The meeting’s agenda has been released by the assembly secretariat.

As per Article 54(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President has the authority to call a session of the National Assembly.